County Overview 15 Chapter 2 Chapter County Overview County

Chapter 2 - County Overview 15 Chapter 2 Chapter County Overview County

Chapter 2 - County Overview 17 - future. Understanding the county’s position the county’s Understanding future. em demographic, and current in the region to is essential and land use trends ployment, balances that for the future a plan creating growth. with sustainable conservation Overview of Union County of Union Overview

Hartley Township Hartley Township Kelly Township Lewis Township Limestone Union Township Township Buffalo West Deer Township White Borough Hartleton Borough Lewisburg Borough Mifflinburg Berlin Borough New Buffalo Township Buffalo Township Buffalo East Township Gregg The county has 10 townships: The county And 4 boroughs:

------

ituated within the picturesque Susque picturesque within the ituated Pennsylvania, in Central Valley hanna River ism, in addition to residential growth trends, growth residential to ism, in addition county’s the which will influence factors are While agriculture remains at the foundation of the foundation at remains While agriculture such as agri industries heritage, the county’s tour and education, products, business, wood part due to its strong agricultural heritage and heritage agricultural its strong part due to downtowns. small historic rural quality of life yet is easily accessible to the is easily accessible to yet quality of life rural Mid-Atlantic of the areas major metropolitan is in large quality of life The region’s region. locals have described as being “conveniently described as being “conveniently have locals an attractive provides Union County isolated”. eastern boundary of the county, has played an has played boundary of the county, eastern eco in shaping the region’s role important what identity, and cultural nomic, community, coming County. County. coming the which forms The Susquehanna River, thumberland County, to the direct south by by south the direct to thumberland County, Mifflin, Centre, by the west to County, Snyder Ly by to the north and Counties, and Clinton Union County is bordered to the east by Nor by the east to is bordered Union County and 200 miles west of New York City, NY, Union Union NY, City, York of New and 200 miles west 80 and is easily accessible via Interstate County 1). 15 (Figure US Route miles northwest of Philadelphia, 181 miles of Philadelphia, miles northwest north of 141 miles D.C., north of Washington, of Pittsburgh 200 miles east MD, Baltimore, S within a three-to-four is located Union County About 165 major cities. of several hour drive Regional Position Regional Chapter 2 - County Overview 18 Figure 1.Regional Context Map Chapter 2 - County Overview 19 and West Buffalo Townships, also experienced also Townships, Buffalo and West municipalities as did the increases population and Hartleton Townships and Hartley of Lewis area growing the slowest but this was Borough, boroughs four of the Incidentally of the county. 2000 between population lost only Mifflinburg percentage increase in total population population in total increase percentage led Township Kelly and 2010. 2000 between East by followed 22% increase, with a the way Township Union at 11.9% and Township Buffalo the area that unexpected not It was 11.4%. at most the saw 15 corridor US Route along the part The municipalities in the central growth. Limestone, including Buffalo, of the county, 0 Municipal Change 2000 to 201 2000 to Municipal Change includes that County of Union area The eastern Gregg, White Union and Kelly, Buffalo, East and numerical had the largest Deer Townships Population 2. Union County Figure Center projects Union County population to population County Union projects Center persons 51,641 reaching 14.9% by increase Commission 2040, while the Planning by of rate growth a greater suggest calculations the using 2010 and 2040. Even 23% between grow will population figures, conservative most community will impact which significantly space. and open including greenways resources tion

tion doubled in size and is tion doubled in size

Data Center and the Union County Planning and the Union County Center Data Data State Commission. The Pennsylvania the continued growth in housing units and the growth the continued population by suggested growth long-term State Pennsylvania by the prepared projections were for 2013 and it shows there has been a there shows 2013 and it for were decline in Union County population total slight given this is debatable, since 2010. However The US Census Bureau provides estimates of estimates provides The US Census Bureau which of recent the most county, by population Population Estimates and Projections and Estimates Population Northumberland County remained the same remained Northumberland County a 3 for Figure to during the period. Refer region. in the other counties to comparison only Centre County which grew at a faster a faster at grew which County only Centre popula the total comparison pace. For 3.3% and by decreased County in Lycoming tied for the second highest increase in the increase highest for the second tied region trailing SEDA-COG 11-county entire According to the U.S. Census, Union County County Census, Union the U.S. to According (3,323 increase an 8% population experienced This was 2000 and 2010. between persons) Recent Population Growth Population Recent and 1920. Between 1920 and 1990, the 1920 and 1920. Between popula County’s 2040. through increase to projected Figure 2 has been increasing since the county’s county’s since the been increasing 2 has Figure of a exception with the in 1813, formation 1890 between which occurred small decline Union County population, as illustrated in as illustrated population, Union County Population Chapter 2 - County Overview 20 same periodrose by 37%. by 88%whileoverall population duringthe number ofresidents over age 45hasincreased over thepast several decades. Since1980the and how the different age groups have changed the current age distribution ofthepopulation space, andpublicrecreation. Figure 4shows implications including for greenways, open household whichhasmultiplepublicpolicy of lower fertility rates and fewer children per County home. as more Baby Boomers began to call Union were over age 55,butby 2010thisrose to 26% to 45%.Conversely in200022%ofresidents under theage of35butby 2010that dropped decreased. In200049%ofthepopulation was residents asapercentage ofoverall population increased whilethenumberofyounger this spanandthepercentage ofolderresidents Median age increased from 35.8to 38.5during like most ofPennsylvania, continued to age. From 2000to 2010thecounty population, Population Age Groups growth of3.4%. and 2010whiletheotherthree hadcumulative T his mimicsstatewide trends Figure 3.Change inCounty Population Figure 4.Age Distribution inUnionCounty

Popula on

Popula on 10 12 14 16 20 40 60 80 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0000 0000 0000 0000 5,00 000 000 000 000 ,0 ,0 ,0 ,0 ,0 ,0 ,0 ,0 0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 0 0 Chan Union 19 ge 80 inPopul County Popul Census DataYear 19 90 a on Count b y y County 20 00 s a fro on 20 10 m 2000- b y Ag e 2010 20 20 0-14Years 15 35 55 65 10 Popu 00 Popu -3 -5 -6 + Year 4 4 4 Year Year Year la la on on s s s s Chapter 2 - County Overview 21 being single family dwellings and 8% multi- dwellings being single family detached single family in The growth family. an aging reflect to retract to homes is expected continue, shifts as demographics population resist among Millennials to including the trend home ownership. or delay Housing Types housing type within the The predominant unit, Dwelling Single Family is the county to be 70% of the housing which is estimated the Census Bureau to according stock County to 2014, Union 2010 From estimates. 204 indicate records and GIS Assessment Tax with 92% constructed were units residential projects increases in housing units in all of the in housing increases projects 2040 with the largest municipalities through Buffalo Deer and East in White increases Commission also The Planning Townships. in Buffalo, housing growth significant projects Townships. Buffalo and West Kelly It is important to highlight that from the 2000 from that highlight to It is important a at grew 2010 time period, housing units to be may This trend than population. rate faster overall such as an factors, of multiple a result in the growth in household size, decrease the and/or of older householders, percentage households of younger shrinking percentage in the county. bracket) old age (25-35 year Planning Commission The Union County

during 2011 and 2012, three times the Census times the Census three during 2011 and 2012, estimate. Bureau that local data shows zoning and/or building and/or zoning shows data local that housing units 110 new issued for permits were 2010, bringing the total number of units to of units to number total 2010, bringing the 16% during of rate growth an overall 17,033 for it should be noted period. However the 12 year 2010 Census this grew to 16,997, a 15.8% to grew 2010 Census this estimated in 2012 The Census Bureau increase. since gained units were housing 36 more that At the time of the 2000 Census there were were there of the 2000 Census the time At the By County. units in Union 14,684 housing Change in Housing Units in Housing Change Housing Chapter 2 - County Overview 22 equal to the state average. Inrecent years the Department ofLaborandIndustry, whichis stands at 5.8%according to thePennsylvania The UnionCounty civilian unemployment rate Unemployment Rates areas. did notripthrough thecounty asitdid in many Additionally themortgage foreclosure crisis helped minimize theimpactswithincounty. Lutheran Village, andlocal manufacturers Prison System, Riverwoods, Buffalo Valley Evangelical Community Hospital, theFederal BucknellUniversity,and globalstruggles. sectors remained strong despite national fortunate inthat anumberlocal economic and local governments thecounty was proved challengingfor residents, employers, since theGreat Depression. Whileconditions from thenation’s worst economic recession from late 2007to 2012to survive andrecover States UnionCounty found itselfstruggling Like Economy trend ofsmallerhouseholds. persons countywide, whichcontinues a20 year household size alsoshrinking from 2.5to 2.4 households climbedto 28%withaverage households dropped to 67%andsingleperson 25% were persons livingalone.In2010family all householdswere occupiedby families and In 2000theUSCensusreported that 70%of Household Composition therest ofPennsylvania andtheUnited The Pennsylvania Center for Workforce In Employment Projections good paying manufacturing jobs. highest. Thiscould bedueto thesteady lossof rates intheregion, butnow itisoneofthe county hadoneofthelowest unemployment not keep pace withinflation and residents justing for inflation, UnionCounty incomes did and $46,737respectively. However after ad and medianhouseholdincome rose to $55,964 of 2012indicate that medianfamily income American CommunitySurvey 5-Year Estimates median householdincome of$40,336.The had amedianfamily income of$47,538and According to the2000Census,UnionCounty Median Family &HouseholdIncome at -5.3%andGovernment -4.3%. Manufacturing atInsuranceand -7.2%,Finance employment isprojected to beinnon-durable (1,160).Thelargestnical Services decrease in struction (1,620)andProfessional and Tech Health Care andSocialAssistance (6,540),Con Central Pennsylvania area isprojected to bein The largest net growth inemployment inthe 2010 to 2020. of 5%ortheaddition289,090jobs from uous. Thelong-term projections show agrowth Union County andthecounties that are contig Central Pennsylvania area. Thisarea includes employment projections by industry for the formation andAnalysis (CWIA)hasprepared - - - - - southern boundariesofthe county. Agricultural the mountain ridges alongthenorthernand forests. These woodlands are concentrated in owned, federally owned, orprivately owned classified as woodlands, whichincludes state Approximately 60percent ofUnionCounty is category. amount ofland withineachmajorlanduse agricultural heritage. Figure 5summarizes the is shapedby thecounty’s natural features and The existing landusepattern inUnionCounty environmentally unsustainable. occurring intheregion andstate isfiscally and veloped. Thelong-term development pattern population growth, it ranks 12thinlandde While Pennsylvania ranks 45thofallstates in leys distinguishes the region from otherplaces. Figure 5).Thisgeneral pattern ofridges and val patterns intheCentral Pennsylvania region (See towns andrural villages –mirror thelanduse woodlands andopenspacedotted withsmall valued inUnionCounty –suchasfarmland, The landusepatterns that are prevalent and Land Use Land UseandZoning 12.6% by 2012, upfrom 8.8%in2000. number ofpeoplelivinginpoverty increased to $41,974 in2000.Itshouldalsobenoted the approximately thesamepurchasing power as the $55,964medianfamily income of2012had actually lost ground economically. For example, - - Chapter 2 - County Overview - - 23 - in rural resource areas. It is clear this pattern this pattern It is clear areas. resource in rural by the established targets the is not meeting plan. Zoning Union County’s within regulations Zoning on land influence a major municipalities have portion of the A significant use in the county. pres forestry/wildlife for is zoned (46%) county uses permit- residential with limited ervation falls about 27% of the county Further, ted. In Districts. Preservation within the Agricultural Districts, Preservation Agricultural of the most on a slid permitted are subdivisions residential densities permitted varies which basis, scale ing note to It is important size. based on parcel Union Township, Township, Limestone that 8% of the representing Borough, and Hartleton zoning. do not have area, land county those areas with the remaining 20% outside of outside 20% the remaining with areas those commercial of new A review areas. the growth 2010 between development and residential development recent where illustrates and 2014 using on a visual analysis Based has occurred. of this develop 44% approximately GIS data, areas growth designated has been within ment primarily elsewhere, while 56% has occurred - - Industrial Miscellaneous Transportation Forest Agriculture Open Space Commercial Residential also has extended outside of the historic town town outside of the historic also has extended along Lewisburg and Mifflinburg in centers 15. 45 and Route Route comprehensive and multi-municipal The county in the designation resulted planning process within areas of primary growth and secondary a goal established 6) and (See Figure the county occur in would development new 80% of that commercial, and employment-based land employment-based and commercial, traditional the from outward spread have uses land historic the altering and villages, towns been most has growth Residential use pattern. wood between edges along the pronounced Lew Buffalo, land within agricultural lands and Deer and White Buffalo, West is, Limestone, development non-residential New Townships. 60% - - 1% 29% Union County Existing Land Land Use Existing County Union Figure 5. Existing Land Use 5. Existing Figure Over the past few decades as population as population decades few the past Over residential, in the county, has occurred growth include a mix of residential, commercial, insti commercial, include a mix of residential, land uses. tutional, and industrial er open space and water resources leaving 10% leaving resources water er open space and is primarily that as development of the county that and villages towns of existing in the form Another one percent of county land area is oth is area land county of percent one Another generally surrounded by forested land to the the land to forested by surrounded generally the Susquehanna and south and north, west, the east. to River of land use in the county (29%). The county’s The county’s (29%). the county use in of land located soils are agricultural productive most are and valleys Penns Creek and in the Buffalo land comprises the second highest percentage percentage highest the second comprises land Chapter 2 - County Overview 24 Figure 6.Future LandUse Chapter 2 - County Overview - 25 - - volume. Another point is that greenways and greenways is that point Another volume. multiple purposes in serve open space can transportation of alternate cluding integration travelers. non-motorized for routes ty, according to PennDOT data, vehicle miles vehicle data, PennDOT to according ty, years in recent (VMT) has decreased traveled are people that which is another indicator driving less. opened in Novem- Trail Rail Valley The Buffalo and faculty University ber 2011 and Bucknell on use the data collecting began students manual counts and Automated year. following persons use is 400 trail estimated that show 100,000 80,000 to and approximately a day of Based on interviews unique visits annually. using the people are also know we users, trail and transportation both recreation for trail purposes. and open space for greenway The implication demon have residents county planning is that if and trails will use greenways they strated sees a on average trail the rail In fact, available. on a daily and walkers of bikers higher volume see in traffic roads of our rural basis than many Over the past five years, it does appear that that does appear it years, five the past Over and walking are county in the people more and and recreation health for both bicycling would mirror This of transportation. as a form in the US Census Bureau as trend a national that documenting a report released 2014 May the last over 60% by increased work biking to In Union Coun States. in the United decade - - - - households in the county do not have not have do county households in the of Many available. vehicle a personal Plain Sect households likely these are and buggy and bicy horse on rely that modes. Trans cle as primary transport car with 8% by 87% work is to portation However, bicycle. and 1% by walking which is more Borough, in Lewisburg and has an exten densely developed the network, and street sidewalk sive and bicycling of walking rate combined is near 30%. Transportation Transportation of the county, nature the rural Given the majority that it is not unexpected com work for whether taken, of trips vehicular. are or other purposes, mute only 918 data, available to According Chapter 2 - County Overview 26 will increase by 9%. nians willbeobeseandassociated medialcosts projecting that by 2030 over 56%of Pennsylva searchers at theTrust for America’s Healthare a schoolday. Andifthat isnotenough,re watch three hours ormore oftelevision on during thepast month and31%ofchildren they didnotparticipate inany physical activity obese. Furthermore 26% ofresidents report are overweight and12%ofchildren are now ally statewide itisreported that 65%ofadults state onobesity related ailments. that more than$7billionayear isspent inthe is well documented assomesources estimate ety from thesepreventable healthconditions The cost to employers, theeconomy, and soci of county deaths. reports heartdiseaseasthenumberonecause Also thePennsylvania Department ofHealth ty rate (30%)isthesameasfor Pennsylvania. under thestate average whiletheadultobesi (8.1%) andoverall obesityrate (26.9%)are just still room for improvement asthediabetes rate However even withsuchahighranking there is tive environmental andsocio-economic factors. dents intheregion alongwithavariety ofposi to thehighqualityhealthcare available to resi son Foundation. Part ofthis can be attributed analysis conducted by theRobert Woods John healthiest county inPennsylvania according to Union County isfortunate to beranked asthe Community Health 6 Addition

- - - - -

- - - to parks, playgrounds, andrecreation centers Children inneighborhoodsthat lackaccess fitness andpotentially reducedmedical costs. tribute to healthierlifestyles, improved physical trails inproximity to where peoplelive can con- accessible areas for exercise suchasparks and Open spaceandgreenways that offer publicly penses would besaved. bike paths, approximately $3inmedical ex concluded that for every $1spent onbuilding lished areview ofmore than200studies and In 2011,theAmerican HeartAssociation pub minutes aday ofphysical activity. adults whomeet therecommended 30-plus diabetes, andhave thegreatest percentage of est levels ofobesity, highbloodpressure and levels ofbicycling and walking have thelow overweight. Ingeneral, states withthehighest have a20%to 45%greater riskofbecoming 7 6 - - - Chapter 2 - County Overview 27 Notes Schmitt, Angie. “The Physical Benefits of Biking and Walking Paths”. Streetsblog. August 7, 2014. p.26. States” United in the Northern Recreation “Outdoor Weintrub, WS et al, AHA Policy Statement: Value of Primordial and Primary Prevention for Cardiovascular Disease. Circulation 124: 967-990. 124: 967-990. Circulation Disease. for Cardiovascular and Primary Prevention Primordial of Value Statement: al, AHA Policy et WS Weintrub, “Outdoor Participation Report 2013” 2013” Report Participation “Outdoor 2011. 2014/08/07/streetsblog-the-physical-benefits-of-biking-and-walking-paths/> August 2012 August 2013pubs/fhw11-pa.pdf> 2010). (accessed April 13, org/site/index.php/site/benchmarkingdownload/ groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_20030867.pdf>

6 7 4 5 1 2 3 ChapterChapter 31

Greenway &Introduction Open Space Resources Chapter 3 - Green & Open Space Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter

grow as does the trend of higher prices be- Natural Resources ing paid for farmland. Several farms recent- Overview of Union County’s Natural Resources ly topped the $1 million mark and brought nion County is rich in natural features, in- $10,000 to $12,000 per acre at auction. Addi- * Residents have identified agricultural and cluding prime agricultural soils, woodlands, U tionally, agricultural economics have improved woodland resources as high preservation high-quality streams, wildlife, and diverse vege- priorities. noticeably in the last five years as commodity tation. Topography consists of mountain ridges prices increased and farmers have enjoyed and rolling valleys of high-quality agricultural * High-quality streams provide excellent envi- some of the best return on investment in de- ronmental, fishing and recreational benefits. soils stretching west from the Susquehanna cades. River. The natural and scenic resources of the * 54 stream miles are officially impaired. county attract residents and visitors alike and Woodland Resources are vital to the local heritage, culture, and * 190 square miles of woodlands provide wild economy. This chapter provides a description life habitat, scenic vistas, recreation, and pro The county is somewhat unusual in that the of the various resources that exist within the tect steep slopes and streams. majority of its land use, 60% or 121,728 acres, county today that present opportunities and * The Susquehanna River forms the eastern

is forest. As shown on the map in Figure 2, Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter could be integrated into a greenway and open the Bald Eagle State Forest, with 66,430 acres, boundary of Union County. space network. stretches across the northern and western Agricultural Resources portion of the county and is home to two state parks. It represents the majority of public land within the County, while a small piece of the Prime agricultural soils and those of statewide Tiadaghton State Forest is in Gregg Township. importance are present throughout the county. Within the Bald Eagle State Forest, there are They predominantly support working farms that include cropland and grazing for livestock that are enrolled in Agricultural Security Areas (ASAs). Nearly 30% of the county land area, or 60,000 acres, is farmland. A growing number of farms are protected from development by agricultural easements through the county farmland preservation program, which has preserved over 8,000 acres. Refer to Figure 1 for the distribution of farmland, prime agricultural soils, and preserved farms in the county. The abundant agricultural resources contribute to the regional economy, culture, rural landscape, and identity of Union County. The number of farms owned by Plain Sect families continues to

31 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 32 Figure 1.Agricultural Resources C C E E N N T T R C R C E L E L I I N N T T O O N N A A g g r r i i c c u u L L l l Y Y C C t t S O S O N N M M u Y u Y I I N N D D G G E E R R r r a a l l

R R e e s s o o u u r r B N N B c c E O E O R R R R L L T T e e A A H H N N U U D D M M s s - - Com Fed Pen Dat Pen of E Dat a a S era ny ns nv pr A lvan ylva iron eh ce 0 ou l E r me en ces s nia A ns ai tal P S B G R C ive rge A A P (P Na D : U t o i o g g r AS v r R epa i ncy u e u Pla nio r r m e tur ro FO Pre n i i 1.2 I a n DA r c c C tec d e m t rtm al H n C n M u u y R a

5 pa U ), l l s F an r tion t t PL en ou u u y US er a L re r r r t of T AN itag nty a a , P ge L d m

Arm l l U

by E me Co µ en GI l NI C E e P a R : U 2.5 a o n G y G nt S D nce sy A rog s n d Cor PU ni A e E s

lvan L S at ge rva m on ra e p o RP

N o r m, R ncy e , P Co v tio ia i l f E OS n a D s E Pen n a De , en t t G s ES S i E ng o par nd S O IS O n ns sy RI, ine

D B tme I U P M lvan Nat ylva U ( n C N Un ers A ep o S t u R L e o u

ura nt n

Y nia S ia t (N H ion r n m C i s

c t of Tran d Dep i a l R t Sp g WI E i p Co a a p t h e

t 5 eso r a S ati P e w y Mile ar

Dat un l R l a a tme urc sp l o ty y a), n s u orti ) es, nt t e on, s

Figure 2. Woodland Resources

LLYY C O M IIN G

TIADAUGHTON STATE FOREST C LL IIN TTO N LEGEND County Municipal Boundary Boundary Streams PA State Routes River US Highway Interstate

BALD EAGLE STATE FOREST CLASSIFIED AREAS

Important Bird Area Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter

Important Mammal Area

UNION COUNTY OPEN SPACE Natural Heritage Area- Core Habitat

State Gamelands

State Park

State Forest

Forested (Privately Owned) N O R TT H U M -- BB EE R LL AA N D C E N TTR E

Data Sources: Union County GIS Data, Pennsylvania Department of Environental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportion, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PennsylvaniaSpatial Data Access (PASDA), US Army Corp of Engineers (NWI Data), Pennylvanaia Department of Concervation and Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, ESRI, Union County Comprehensive Plan Important Mammal Area- Dr. Stephen G Mech, Albright College; National Audobon Society. October 2014. Important Bird Areas Database, Boundar Digital Data Set. Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

BALD EAGLE STATE FOREST µ SS N YY D EE R 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles

FOR PLANNIG PURPOSES ONLY Prepared by: Union Co GIS Dept Forest Resources

33 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 34 of RapidRun, Buffalo Creek, and Weikert Run nities exist alongmany county streams. Portions Creek. Excellent fishing and recreation opportu ing Penns Creek, RapidRun,andWhite Deer many high-qualitystreams inthecounty, includ watersheds ofexceptional value. There are also Branch ofBuffalo Creek, Runare andCherry Within thecounty, SpruceRun,theNorth forms theeastern ofthecounty. boundary ed States, theSusquehannaRiver’s West Branch One ofthelargest continental rivers intheUnit Water Resources Union County citizens. identified asahigh preservation priority by resources, like agriculture, have previously been as timber, firewood, and woodchips. Woodland tas, trails, recreation, and forest products, such tection of steep slopesand streams, scenicvis carbon sequestration, public water supply, pro benefits, includingplant andanimalhabitat, provide numerous ecological andeconomic greatest conservation need. firmed populations ofspecies considered of aggregations ofmammalsandsustains con Area 20,whichisknown to supportsignificant portion ofthe Pennsylvania Important Mammal Within boththepublicandprivate forests isa ally form agreen ribbonaround thefarmland. 55,000 acres ofprivately-owned forests, gener vast woodlands inthecounty, includingover ignated by theNational AudubonSociety Natural Area isalsoanImportant Bird Area des one wildarea (White Mountain). TheHook (Halfway Run,TheHook,andJoyce Kilmer)and three designated natural areas inthecounty

2 These woodlands 1 . The ------by the Pennsylvania Department ofEnviron- impaired (non-attaining) streams asclassified number of there are a condition, excellent good-to- While many ofthecounty’s streams are in PA FBC. reproduction inthe county, according to the of 29otherstreams that supportwildtrout ness Trout Streams. There are alsoportions falo Creek headwaters are considered Wilder (PA FBC).Panther Run,andBuf Run,Cherry the Pennsylvania FishandBoat Commission are ClassAWildTrout Waters - rob, by wasteful use,thegenerations that come after us.” ral resources ofourland;butIdonotrecognize theright to waste them,orto “I recognize theright anddutyofthisgeneration to develop andusethenatu 3 asclassified by - - al Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)and designated as100-year floodplain by the Feder are 11,034acres, or5%ofthe county landarea, sin Commission(SRBC),theSusquehannaRiver Creek. According to theSusquehanna River Ba er, White DeerCreek, Buffalo Creek, and Penns along theWest Branch oftheSusquehanna Riv Floodplains inthecounty are most prominent Flood Prone Areas andWetlands paired stream reaches. resources inthecounty andthelocation ofim the mapinFigure 3showing themajorwater non-point source pollutionon farms. Refer to projects withlandowners aimedat reducing have beenattempting toimplement restoration associations for Buffalo Creek and Penns Creek though theConservation District and watershed additional milesofimpairment since2009, even impaired stream mileshasgrown by 38%or15 cultural impacts. Creek andPenns Creek watersheds dueto agri a significant portionimpaired intheBuffalo 53.5 milesofimpaired stream segments with PA DEP assessment report in2013,there were it isconsidered impaired. Asofthemost recent of astream isnotattaining any ofits four uses, water supply, andrecreation. Whenasegment uses: aquatic life, fish consumption, potable itors andseeks to protect four stream water mental Protection (PA DEP).The PA DEPmon Theodore Roosevelt 4 Unfortunately, thenumberof - Intotal there prone areas. most flood- ofthenation’s basinisone ------Figure 3. Water Resources

LLYY C O M IIN G

C LL IIN TTO N LEGEND County Municipal Boundary Boundary Streams PA State Routes River US Highway Interstate

DEP STREAM IMPAIRMENT CAUSE Chapter 3 - Green & Open Space Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter

Source Unknown

Small Residential Agriculture Related

Hydromodification Atmospheric Deposition - pH Urban Runoff/Storm Sewers

DEP WATERSHED DESIGNATIONS N O R TT H U M -- BB EE R LL AA N D Exceptional Value Watershed C E N T R E C E N T R E High Quality Waterhsed

SS N YY D EE R 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles

FOR PLANNIG PURPOSES ONLY Prepared by: Union Co GIS Dept Water Resources

35 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 36 Figure 4.FloodplainsandWetlands L M e i f w f l C i C i s n b E b E u u N N r r g g T T R R E E F F l l o o C C L L o o I I N N T T O O d d N N

P P L L l Y l Y C C a a O O M M S S I N I N N i N i Y Y G G D D n n E E R R s s

a a n n d d

W W e e t t l l N B N B E O E O a a R R R R L T L T A A H H n n N N U U D D M M - - d d Fe Pe Co of Da Da Pe s s En de n n mp ta Ac ta ral ylv vir sy So N re 0 lva E on ce he an A ur me en ce s T ni ns ai a N a D I (P s: ta rg ive R S B C O l P t o i o en Un A v r at P e N u 1.2 e u S e FO pa rot F Pr cy ur n io la a n DA r A E d 5 m t rtm n C al n M ep ec R y a L ), M s P He an tio r ar en US

N Z 0 Z Z o y W LA A un e . n, o o o ag rit a t o 2 d L n n n

t ag ty N A E

Pe em i F by f % 2.5 e e e o µ rm N E Co GI T e P L

n n IG e A A : X

y G C L a nt S D O Un nc

E sy P ro Co ( l h A

A 1 O

erv E W lva gr U io ( a a g 0 rp N 1 RP ta, am en n n D N 0 e at n of 0 C D c ia D

t Pe cy ion

0 O Y , P l e D E Z o a S

, SE e

Y n a O n ( e ES GI e

ng a 5 e ns n d I pa nd S r N S N 0 a in R s O ) ylv sy rtm N 0 r D

I, U V e B I U P M E ) I n N

lva ep n an atu A o Y S E t u S e rs L e v n u

5 e Y nt n t ia nia S N e ion r H Mil ra (N n a i s

t c n of Tra De d i l R a T t r S g W es i C a t ) a p t pa o h O e pa t es I D r a ou e w r y

tia l R y R rtm ou n at nt a spo o l Y y a), y rc e u es nt t rt e ion , s , 2,152 acres of FEMA-identified floodway throughout the county. In addition, there are approximately another 1,500 acres of Pennsyl- vania regulated floodways, as measured 50 feet from the top of streambank where FEMA studies have not been done. In terms of percentage of total land area in the floodplain, Lewisburg Borough, by far, leads the way with 72% of the borough having such designation; however, in terms of acreage White Deer Township has the most floodplain, but it is only 8% of the municipal land area. With recent Federal reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program, the cost of flood insurance could be a deterrent to

developing new and maintaining some existing Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter floodplain properties, thus creating opportunities for restoration and open space conservation.

Wetlands, defined by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as the transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic systems that are periodically saturated by groundwater and can support swamps, marshes, or other similar hydrophytic vegetation, are found throughout the county, including within the demarcated floodplains. Wetlands like natural floodplains provide numerous benefits, such as absorbing floodwater, filtering pollutants, and providing food sources and natural habitat for numerous species. Existing wetlands are inventoried as part of the National Wetlands Inventory and are regulated by federal and state laws. The National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps show 2,600 acres of wetlands in the county, but NWI maps in general likely under-represent the actual wetland acreage.

37 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 38 order ofimportance. given apriorityranking andare listed in animal species.Thefollowing sites were protection ofbiological diversity inplant and sites ofstatewide significance for the and core habitat the maps whichnow show somenew sites 2000. In2015,thePA DCNRagain updated then updated by theNature Conservancy in tory was originallyprepared in1993and The UnionCounty Natural Areas Inven- Natural Areas and outdoor recreation. conservation useslike wildlife habitat These steep slopesare best suited for challenges for development purposes. 55% ofthecounty presents topographical has slopesbetween 15%and25%.Intotal ceeding 15%whileanother77square miles area 30%,or97square miles,hasslopesex that ofthecounty’s 317 square milesofland duction ordevelopment. Figure 5illustrates slope that are notsuitable for agricultural pro configuration results in areas of considerable major ridges. Thisgeologic andtopographic broad-flat valleys runningeast west andtwo ince, thecounty topography isdominated by Situated intheRidge andValley geologic prov Steep Slopes floodplains and wetlands withinthe county. Refer to Figure 4for thelocation ofmapped 5 . Thereport classifies - - - sites for thecounty are asfollows: arereports. the original in included Thetop six conservation areas of statewide significance Recommendations for eachsite andadditional • • • • • • Townships) Halfway Run(Hartley andLewis Shikellamy Bluffs (Union Township) Mohn MillsPonds (Lewis Township) Seebold Quarry (LimestoneSeebold Quarry Township) Township) Penns Creek at White Mountain (Hartley The Gooseneck(Hartley Township) tat areas. along withtheothernoted sites andcore habi highest ranked locations from theinventory map inFigure 2shows thelocation ofthesix from thelatest update isonprivate lands.The However asignificant portionof core habitat owned by theCommonwealth ofPennsylvania. ority areas listed intheinventory are onlands andthatSeebold Quarry) many oftheotherpri volve private property (Shikellamy Bluffs and It shouldbenoted that onlytwo ofthesixin- - - Figure 5. Steep Slopes

LLYY C O M IIN G

C LL IIN TTO N LEGEND County Municipal Boundary Boundary Streams PA State Routes River US Highway Interstate

STEEP SLOPE CLASSIFICATIONS

Steep Slopes (15 to 25 %) Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter Steep Slopes (>25 %)

N O R TT H U M -- BB EE R LL AA N D C E N TTR E

SS N YY D EE R 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles

FOR PLANNIG PURPOSES ONLY Prepared by: Union Co GIS Dept Steep Slopes/Topology

39 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 40 Branches oftheSusquehannaRiver at North- is at theconfluence oftheNorthand West vilions andpicnictables. Shikellamy State Park State Route 192alongRapidRunandhaspa located nearRaymond B.Winter adjacent to being thesmallest inthestate parksystem, is Sand Bridge State Park, withthedistinction of hiking trails, andpicnicareas. Thethree-acre designated camping area, Halfway Lake, beach, in Hartley Township, is695acres andincludesa Forest. Raymond B.Winter State Park, located of whichare surrounded by theBaldEagle State Union County ishometo three state parks, two State Parks Open SpaceResources - Borough, istechnically inNorthumberland tween thevillage ofWest Milton andMilton 82-acre islandintheSusquehannaRiver be mer concert series.TheMilton State Park, an has hikingtrails, picnic areas andhosts asum views ofthevalleys for bothriver branches, Bluffs. Thescenic overlook offers spectacular remaining undeveloped portionofShikellamy tional 82acres (Rozyckie tract) to protect the The Conservation Fund to purchase anaddi the LinnConservancy whichwas acatalyst for acquisition oftheadjacent McGinnisparcel by a halftimesitsoriginalsize, due to a36-acre 2015, was expanded to 195acres, ortwo and The overlook area was 78acres insize, butin look that isinUnionTownship, UnionCounty. umberland, PA andincludesascenic over - - - - ted there are restrictions onactivitiesand times Although non-consumptive recreation ispermit reation, primarily lawful hunting and trapping. both game andnon-game speciesandfor rec ties are managed for wildlife habitat to benefit farmland to scrubandwoodland. Theseproper Lands (SGLs)inthecounty that vary from open owns nearly3,000acres onfour State Game The Pennsylvania GameCommission (PGC) State GameLands included onFigure 2. cer, andasmallplayground. TheState Parks are ing trails, opengrass fieldsusedmainly for soc The site includesaconcrete boat launch,walk County, butisusedby UnionCounty residents. - - - - - of year for use by non-hunters. SGL 252 in However using national standards recommend- clubs have lands and facilities available to Gregg Township is the largest in the county ed by the National Recreation and Parks Asso- members and their guests. The school districts with nearly 1,300 acres and more land in adja- ciation, only Hartley Township and New Berlin and Bucknell University also have a variety of cent Lycoming County. This SGL is unique from Borough have enough local parkland to meet facilities and fields, but these are prioritized for a historical perspective since it contains ruins of resident needs based on current population. team sports and other school functions and are the former Alvira Village, several historic cem- All other municipalities currently have an acre- typically off limits to the general public. eteries, and concrete bunkers that were built age deficit which will grow over the next sever- as part of the Susquehanna Ordinance Works al decades without additional park acquisition Conserved Lands during the World War II era. It also has 24 miles and development as the population continues of trails or administrative roadways that are to expand. One can see there are many conservation open to the public for non-motorized use. The areas already in place within Union County as next largest property is the 1,100 acre SGL 317 Countywide, the deficit currently stands at approximately 39% of the total land area is in Hartley Township and Hartleton Borough 217 acres which could increase to 322 acres by permanently protected open space. The bulk of while SGL 193 in Union Township and SGL 201 2040 based on population growth projections this is state forest, but growing are properties

in Limestone Township are 325 acres and 271 (Federal prison inmates were factored out for preserved through the county farmland preser- Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter acres respectively. The location and extent of this calculation). The single largest municipal vation program (8,000 acres) and through the PGC owned property can be found on Figure 2. deficit now, and projected for the future, is in work of land trusts like the Merrill W. Linn East Buffalo Township, where population has Land and Waterways Conservancy. Unlike the Community Parks increased substantially over the last several de- farmland preservation program which pays cades but the amount of community parkland farmers to participate by purchasing develop- The municipal park system provides addition- has not kept pace. ment rights, the Conservancy primarily protects al close to home recreation opportunities for lands through the donation of conservation citizens in Union County, as nine of the 14 The Lewisburg Area Recreation Park in Lewis- easements. The Conservancy holds easements municipalities have local parks and recreation burg Borough is one of the most heavily used on 584 acres in the county and is working on areas available. Local parks and facilities sup- parks in the county and has a public swimming adding more properties to its conservation port more community based recreation such pool, tennis courts, a walking trail, skateboard inventory. It should be noted that the interest as swimming pools, athletic fields for baseball, park, winter ice skating rink, pavilions, and a in donated easements has increased in recent softball and soccer, picnic areas, children’s play- large well-appointed playground. There are years, including the donation of easements to grounds, skate parks, and general community also several privately-owned parks and recre- the farmland preservation program. green space. Fifty percent of people surveyed in the state indicated that they go to county or ation areas that are either open to the public local parks the majority of the time.6 or to members. The Turtle Creek Dog Park in East Buffalo Township, the Community Park in Community parks total approximately 200 acres the village of White Deer, and the Riverwoods in the county with Lewisburg Borough having Soccer Complex are a few examples of privately the largest municipal park system at 54.5 acres owned parks and recreation areas open to the followed by Hartley Township with 37.7 acres. public while churches and the sportsmen’s

41 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 42 of 400users perday utilizingthetrail for faculty andstudents, itattracts an average to counts conducted by BucknellUniversity among bicyclists andpedestrians and,according Lewisburg andMifflinburg. The trail ispopular the county’s two largest population centers of Currently 9.5milesare constructed linking that openedin2011for non-motorized use. rail-banked corridor inthecenter ofthecounty The Buffalo Valley Rail Trail (BVRT) isa10-mile public andprivate landsopento thepublic. mately 15milesandare located onamixof Local trails andwalking paths total approxi Trail. RunRailTrailCherry andtheHookNatural Area maintained trails are theMid-State Trail, the However afew ofthemore notable andbetter over theyears andcan bedifficult tolocate. intermslagged ofmaintenance andblazing ple reside. There are alsoquite afew that have tions, andnotnearwhere themajorityofpeo accessible to individualswithmobilitylimita trails withinthestate forest are primitive, not biling network ismore extensive. Many ofthe designated for ATV accesswhilethesnowmo cross-country skiing.Limited trail mileage is horseback and mountain hiking, riding, biking, Park, offering a variety oftrail usesincluding State Forest andRaymond B.Winter State 136 milesthat windthrough theBaldEagle miles found onstate-owned property. There are trails skirtthrough UnionCounty withallbut15 andequestrian biking, Over 175milesofhiking, Trails andBike Routes - - - - and from 8 Street inEast Buffalo Township to US Route 15 trail,extensions and were completed from 12 Buffalo Township, themidway point onthe was established inthevillage ofVicksburg in a new trailhead recreation andtransportation. ty inthecounty were hikingtrails plannedand Some ofthefirst local trails onprivate proper the historic alignment. tion into andoutofdowntown Lewisburg on from having adirect andconvenient connec as amajorgap inthetrail, preventing users Borough. Thisleaves theUSRoute 15crossing th Street to 5 th Street inLewisburg 7 Most recently - - th

years, water trails have grown inpopularity cially recognized routes, butwithinthelast ten Land-based trails were historically the onlyoffi door-recreation/bicycling www.visitcentralpa.org/things-to-do/out maps can befound ontheirwebsite at bicyclists ideasaboutwhere to travel. These designated bike routes, butdogive recreational county onrural roads. Theseare notofficially ing anumberofon-road routes throughout the Bureau has alsopublishedseveral maps show speeds. TheSusquehannaRiver Valley Visitors given growing traffic andincreasing vehicular adequate shoulders to safely supportbicycling lic to PennDOT aboutBike Route Vnothaving years complaints have beenmadeby thepub are intended to beonroad routes. Inrecent during theGovernor Ridge administration and routes were designated by theCommonwealth 15 andState Route 192respectively. These State Bike Routes follow “J” USRoute and“V” In addition to thetrails noted above 19milesof property, butare opento thepublic. Township. Thesetwo trails are alsoonprivate Mountain Trail isonanuplandridge inUnion parian ecosystem whiletheone-mileShamokin falo Creek andwindsthrough awetland andri Koons Trail inMifflinburg Borough parallels Buf overlooking theBuffalo Valley. Theone-mile Buffalo Creek andascends to asplendidvista Buffalo Township provides ascenic walk along Trail ontheDaleEngleWalker property in Linn Conservancy. Thetwo-mile Dale’s Ridge developed through theefforts oftheMerrill .

http:// ------Figure 6. Trails and Penn-DOT Designated Bike Routes

LLYY C O M IIN G

C LL IIN TTO N LEGEND County Municipal Boundary Boundary Streams PA State Routes River US Highway Interstate

TRAILS AND BIKE ROUTES

! ! Community/Private Trails Chapter 3 - Green & Open Space Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter Buffalo Valley Rail Trail DCNR Trails (Bald Eagle State Forest) Mid State Trail

¨© !

! PA Bike Route V ! !

! !

! Water Trail

¨© Conservancy Easements ! ! ! !

! State Gamelands State Park N O R TT H U M -- State Forest BB EE R LL AA N D C E N TTR E

! !

Data Sources: Union County GIS Data, Pennsylvania Department

! of Environental Protection, Pennsylvania Department of Transportion, ! Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, PennsylvaniaSpatial Data Access (PASDA), US Army Corp of Engineers (NWI Data), Pennylvanaia Department of Concervation and Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, ESRI, Union County Comprehensive Plan µ

SS N YY D EE R 0 1.25 2.5 5 Miles

FOR PLANNIG PURPOSES ONLY Prepared by: Union Co GIS Dept Trails and Bike Routes

43 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 44 the county. Themajorityofcultural andhistoric munity character andshapetheuniquenessof Cultural andhistoric resources helpdefine com Cultural andHistoric Resources PennDOT designated bike routes. fer to Figure 6for thelocation oftrails and the river at St.George Street inLewisburg. Re ending downstream ofwhere thecreek meets beginning nearCowan inBuffalo Township and Watershed Alliance.Itis11milesinlength, and hasbeenestablished by theBuffalo Creek water trail inthecounty isonBuffalo Creek headwaters to theChesapeake Bay. Theother entire eastern border and connects theriver West Branch oftheriver alongthecounty’s of theJohnSmithHistoric Trail. Itfollows the National Recreation Trail that isanextension River Water Trail isafederally designated across thestate andregion. TheSusquehanna - - bridges, railroad stations andthe courthouse Historic Places,includinghouses,churches, county are listed ontheNational Register of Historic Districts and17othersites inthe Mifflinburg Boroughs are National Register Mifflinburg, and New Berlin. Lewisburg and concentrated intheboroughs ofLewisburg, assets, includingbuildingsandsites, are cultural barnsandrural landscapes, located structures andsites, includingolderagri among others. There are alsomany historic canal history, andtheUnderground Railroad Indian War, American Revolution, religion, Americans, earlysettlement, theFrench and These locations includesites noted for Native lives of events andinnovations that have affected the that capture ofpeople,places, thememory 22 roadside markers throughout thecounty Museum Commission(PHMC)hasalsoplaced among others. Pennsylvanians over thecenturies. The Pennsylvania Historic and glimpse into the into glimpse Walker House offer a um, andtheDaleEngle Station Railroad Muse seum, theWhite Deer Mifflinburg Mu Buggy House Museum,the Museum, Gutelius Log um, Packwood House The Slifer HouseMuse earlier days. an important story of designated buthelptell which are notofficially throughout thecounty - - - - The UnionCounty library system, withbranches Center for thePerforming ArtsinMifflinburg. University campus inLewisburg andtheElias Weis Center for Performing ArtsontheBucknell Samek ArtMuseum,Campus Theatre, andthe Other cultural venues inthecounty includethe mote thecounty’s agricultural roots. started in1925andisheldLaurelton to pro and theUnionCounty West End Fair, which tage Days, New ColumbiaAppleButter Festival, burg ArtsFestival, New BerlinDay, Rural Heri celebrate theregion’s Germanichistory, Lewis- burg ChriskindlMarket andOktoberfest that about andcontinue. TheseincludetheMifflin- out traditions for new generations tolearn ebrations occurthroughout the year and carry county’s past. Similarlyanumberofcultural cel - - - in Laurelton, Lewisburg, and Mifflinburg, is along State Route 405 south of Montandon, Northumberland County, but is a great regional another important cultural asset. See the map the Milton State Park access at resource for water-based recreation like boat- in Figure 7 for the location of the National West Milton, and the PFBC ramp off of State ing,canoeing, kayaking, and fishing; however, Register Historic Districts, National Register of Route 405 in Watsontown. In Gregg Township the river’s water quality and overall ecosystem Historic Places, museums, and cultural resource along River Road on county-owned property health have been the topic of debate in recent locations. at Great Stream Commons and the Byers farm, years.6 people have historically used two different Water Accesses areas for river access even though the land The bulk of the state-owned land is located is private. Similarly in Lewisburg Borough, St. considerable distance from where population One thing not in abundance throughout Union George Street extends to the river creating an density is the greatest and the majority of the County is public access points to waterways emergency river access, but local residents open spaces near residential areas are private- once outside of the state-owned forests, parks, have used it over the years as a canoe, kayak, ly-owned. This makes municipal parks, green and game lands. There is a fishing access on and small boat launch. Lastly Bucknell Univer- spaces, trails and cultural and historic sites all Penns Creek near Weikert that is owned by sity recently constructed a boat ramp called that more important for supporting close to home recreation, physical activity, and intellec-

the PFBC and the Bald Eagle Forest District is Bucknell Landing by the physical plant, but it Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter working with the Northcentral Pennsylvania is presently restricted to use by students and tual stimulation that can contribute to healthier Conservancy to add another fishing and ca- faculty. As it stands, a significant amount of communities. According to data from a state- noe access point on Penns Creek. The other stream and river frontage is privately-owned wide survey Pennsylvanians still cite walking, public access areas on Penns Creek are at the and does provide public access. scenic driving, visiting historic sites, and pic- Limestone Township picnic pavilion along Wild- wood Road and at the Commons in New Berlin Conclusion Borough. Through efforts of the Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance (BCWA) and private land- The conservation of natural resources, farm- owners, there are three canoe access points land, and open space is highly valued by county on Buffalo Creek in Buffalo Township at Cowan, citizens. Overall Union County is fortunate to Mazeppa, and the Dale Engle Walker farm. On have 90% of its land area as undeveloped open the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, space with almost 40% permanently protected. there are no official Pennsylvania Fish and Boat The Bald Eagle State Forest, three state parks, Commission (PFBC) boat launches currently in and four state game lands in the county create Union County, although one will be construct- substantial habitat blocks that benefit wildlife ed as a mitigation measure for the US Route and offer angling opportunities like Buffalo 15 highway bypass south of Winfield, which Creek, Rapid Run, Spring Creek, Spruce Run, should be open to the public by 2020. However White Deer Creek and the nationally renowned several state-owned launch facilities are nearby Penns Creek. The North Branch of Buffalo for Union County boaters to access the river Creek, Spruce Run and White Deer Creek are including the Shikellamy State Park Marina in also public drinking water supplies. The West Northumberland, the PFBC Chillisquaque ramp Branch Susquehanna River is technically in

45 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 46 Figure 7.Historic andCultural Resources Pu U ñ b L n l i i Ù 1 e c o 4

n L Bug Mifln w Mi

i C b i o r He gy fl s a u r bur n r b M y Libr i ty

Me n fo u us g b r a e r mor ry um u g Ù C 4 C ñ r ñ ia Sa Ù g C l C E Ù C m ñ E 5 6 L a L e m k N I N I

?þ p A N N u r s t T T

T G T T a h O R l O e R l e a r te Pe W N Elia Perf y N E E r e ?þ r i fo s s orm

Ce C r C C m e ing Ar nte i n L n L te g r fo I

r I A

fo 1 ts N r N ts 5 r H H T Ù T ñ ñ Ù 1 O O 6 ñ M Sl 1 Ù 3 1 u i N f N 7 s e 1 ñ e r Ù 8 u H m i ñ M Pa i Ù o u u c s s k e e s w s u o m o d ñ t t Ù 1 W L e i o s b o t r

a E r n y d r r Ù 2 i i c c L L Y Y

C C a O a O M M n n I I N Ù N 3 G G d d

C C Ù ñ ñ 4 Ù ñ Ù u u l l t t 7 / 8 u u Ù Ù r W r D a a l Ù k 9 l e e a a / r E

H n o g u e l s l l / e ñ

R R ñ 1 Ù 4 N Ù 1 N 1 e e O O Ù 1 0 Ù ñ R ñ S Ù R S ñ Ù s ñ s Ù ñ Ù Ù 1 9 N T N T ñ o H o H Y Y Ù 1 2 U D U D u u M E M Sta White D E tion/Mus R R B B r E r E r T e ra um R R in c c L L A A e e N N D D s s C F P D P C F o D P D P o D f e e f e e o e a e o a a

E d d E n n m n t n ñ m t t t Ù a a a Ù ñ a e H e n n n n n n H p

r y A s v y A s v S S a 0 r a r l yl i l I yl e i c e i v c r v o r l o l

o s o ce h a ce va h a va E u E u n n e E M W S C P H W D P

S M W n e n r r m t m N 1 3 2 4 5 1 1 1 1

6 7 8 9 1 1 1 1 1 1 L H e c T s e c s n n a n n a

o l a u a l a e a 1 e . . . . . 4 5 6 7 u F i . . . . 0 2 3 8 9 e s n e i i s s n e i e e i s e i a h i i

a a a f L H a a O N m b ckw st s: m r l . t s: f M i t r

. . . .

. . . . . w i r se e i s e ( v t e i r (

v a

a g

r l g

s t P l e P N D i i N D A F R

S B H H M H M B C R L C H N O G W S P L e

r o e l o i t t e i i l e / n a e p i e U

U c M A

s R A u sb E a

P e c a

P e e C u w a e C r n e H

l n n u k b l a P a a a h e u F e e l r n P i i t l S Pr n a i S t t p o e D i t p i o L t d r l f o e r cy m L n s ct cy w e i f w u O n i c u a f e u ckw

l i l l i se a a e i w o ve i r f s o f o l e o I D a a A o u D a o f m n f r i s t o a l o a

f r i g e n r u m e 1 d e s C so t e u l w a r t i i d i n n so R U i r b e o a n

r n r s u D a

n A e n

n r s,

r A e e m sb r T sb p . M t d g n M t w e e R

B o l E n g l 2

m i

t b l m

t t r u i y r ct n se ct a o o )

a n H L n )

a C P s b n C e e h

i a

c H a l r

y H 5 a r n a n , a n b n , s , o

M / H B e o e r e y r

u W

i e

u i m A i

i L u g a d o r r e n o d o n W U n o r

o U e o m t P b T t e e B p i

B t t e o n

l r o n g

B A u o u r y a D r r u

o H n n a y r d a n d f u a M

r L u f G l S r r r n S t l

t R r R g i d g i a r g r i e d i n i N o o i n u a s R g , g

N l g l r w ct g ,

a u a t

C n d t st e l

se t a i se o

o l

o a b t s i

a t d

A P e C r r u i n A e P e r L l g a g

C d y N n r se i A y r H

f H a n H f ke sb e ke g

f u s g y n e m

D e a P M m

g y r e se a j r e P

i µ d

i P y u g C y I

u C a e G u t m o

r m e : G l b m B i U se i G i I

o EN n r n e r g R e st n r r ve m ( e

S r

n e

U o l e e i o

yt m r u m o r I l M y P n I

B t M e N y P n

u f r o n u i n o D

n S

S n a n P u i f t r d c A i n t C r

sy i o o

d n

sy a H o r s sb ve r t se l C t r d e n i C a f f f i m r a

ce (

u r u i o

U r u o i a o n D o A D

i r o t t A r d N

r n o y

d g r

a o t 2 o t H y t o g l i

g l i se s B R U se C y m n

va i F r

M va g a i c r e i n g a r r c .

h yt r b r - r r o g e a l u H o r r a ( 5 m va F m va

p PO i r A p a e t

C a

e t r a N o u s a S r B a n n C u ( C n e D D se t i n n L u e

o o

m n r u m n i d i

D m o , i r o , t t i N u i t f o i

e o a o l

n r a cy

i n m r cy a

i o n l o a i i o m u g i g f S a C t f f , P o T , o P

i s st t se i u

e n t d l

g g l a e r t g u se

P G n R u a

P D , n ES n i f e

D , e i e

E t

E i h / r

o R

s a U r

n n g r

(

c B n e E n h e I E n d A t e A e a r t / n a i N H i n i u S n h l e e n n c ct b

ca n n t i e p S

t a b S p n u

g P C g r o O r r y R

R a B M I U P M o n syl a n a syl t u D a d g R d S t t i i R s ch i i

l u n s s n syl N l l s l syl n h u r ( t

n r

A ( g e

a d e i o

I S I t N u e t N t i e s se t u S st A o R , va r , m va L o t u se p m a

c i g a

e e e u

se a o g H v U a Y e n v U n

t r S t n e e r e u e i i r y e n t a t n r l H a L i e ch n e g st s n t s n u r

o u n i o a

n g r s s n i n i e c u B t i a

i m i a r

R ) r r t d ( t o ( t o n e l i i

a b i c i a t b

a N

N e a

m g a

i st o c s o n S n D a D R l a p o l e r u e

S t e S

l W

W f

f h ) R R e P

C e t e e C l se l p r a e r p T T I e o g o p e w I e p y I

r o a o a o r T r g

s l w a R w ) D a a so D a so i u a t u t u i s u i a i r n r n a n E st a a n a ) ) t t m o c u s u m s m t l y g l t t t t y a y e e a p r p r e u S e ce ce e h ) ) o o r r , n , n t s ) r r e ) s, 5 t s, t t t i i o M o s n n i l , , e

s ant to supporting this expansion as private Pennsylvania's Top Ten Outdoor landowners remain concerned about limiting liability exposure and maintaining privacy. In Union County the majority of agricultural lands, forests, floodplains, wetlands, and riparian cor- Walking 73% ridors, including those nearest to population centers, are privately-owned which significantly 45% limits access for the general public. Scenic Driving 42% The resources that have been identified in this Picnicking 42% chapter present nearly unlimited opportunities for the development of a permanent green- Swimming 38% way and open space network for conservation Wildlife Viewing 36% purposes and to support outdoor recreation,

tourism, and the economy but not without Resources Space Open & Green - 3 Chapter 33% challenges. The next chapter in this plan will take into consideration these opportunities to Night Sky Viewing 33% articulate a vision, goals, and present a pre- Bird Watching 32% ferred greenway and open space framework.

Lawn Games 30% nicking as the most popular outdoor recre- and hunting are declining in participation. In ation activities. Nationally participation trends Pennsylvania, for example, hunting is down show kayak-related recreation, triathlons, and 20% and fishing 17% since 1990, but other adventure racing trending upward, while snow- wildlife-related recreation is becoming increas- shoeing, snowboarding, skiing and rafting are ingly popular like bird watching and nature showing decreasing participation.9 A report photography. Nearly $3 billion is spent annually 7 from the United States Forest Service notes in the state on wildlife-related recreation. that what people choose to do now for outdoor Trends do point toward overall continued recreation is noticeably different from choices growth in outdoor recreation, although chang- that were available to and made by previous ing demographics, lifestyles, technology, eco- generations as the variety and popularity of nomic conditions, globalization, and altered outdoor activities are more diverse now than at landscapes will shape the participation rates any time in the past.10 and preferred activities. However most agree Many traditional outdoor activities like fishing that public lands will remain critically import-

47 Chapter 3 - Greenway & Open Space Resources 48

8 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

shows-increase-in-participation&catid=34:ONB%20Articles&Itemid=54 https://www.wildlifemanagementinstitute.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=615:wildlife-related-recreation-report- html 2014 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report.The Outdoor Foundation. http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/research.participation.2014. http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2012/july/10/once-considered-wasteful-new-rail-trail-proves-very-useful-to-lewisburg-pa/ https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2015/12/14/study-smallmouth-bass-harmed-by-endocrine-disruptors-pathogens-and-parasites/ http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/CNHI.aspx VoQQGbYrKUl http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Water/PointNonPointMgmt/WaterQuality/Pages/Integrated-Water-Quality-Report-2014.aspx#. http://fishandboat.com/waters_trout.htm http://netapp.audubon.org/IBA/Site/1144 http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=948195&mode=2 http://www.outdoorfoundation.org/pdf/ResearchParticipation2013.pdf

Notes